Mind Games By Sultan76 Rating M
What in the hell had just happened?
Tim was still shaking a little as he got dressed, cursing as his fingers couldn’t quite handle the buttons as he normally would. He’d thrown something on very quickly so he could just make his way out of the gym and get dressed properly in peace choosing an interrogation room he knew was rarely used anymore.
It was like his worst nightmare and greatest fantasy meshed into one another.
Once dressed he gathered up the rest of his things, stuffed them into the bag and shoving the bag violently against the table he sank onto a chair, his elbows resting on the smooth surface with his head in his still shaking hands, cursing his own frailty and the target he seemed to have had painted on his back since childhood.
Closing his eyes he was back in that room. He could still feel the tiles pressed cold against his cheek, that warm breath against his face and for a moment it felt so right...and then his reality came crashing down and he was back stuck in a nightmare he had worked hard to forget. Shivers ran up and down his arms even though his hands felt sweaty and hot.
Memories long buried rose to the surface like a macabre ‘This is your Life’ reel.
A high school senior way before his time being trapped in a bathroom, roughed up and pushed against the unforgiving tiles by kids older and bigger than he was all because he was an easy target who couldn’t fight back.
A young boy in an adult world who had been way too trusting of those in charge and been punished for it every time.
A professor’s office, the shame of not even being aware of being used, of being humiliated until it was too late. He’d been there and been broken by it and there was no way in hell he was going to let himself make the same mistake twice.
Even so, when he had dared to look at Gibbs, look him actually in the eye he had expected to see a sneer across his face but instead of amusement in Tim’s taunting it was one of confusion and concern that made Tim pause.
That look he got from his Boss, a look he barely thought possible it was frightening, unbelievable and now some sick joke right?
And Tony with his impeccable timing just when Tim was actually daring to think there was something behind this, something he had been dreaming of. But no, it seemed like every prank ever played on him was coming home to haunt him even in these halls where he felt he’d finally grown up and moved on at last. But then again.....how was Tony or Gibbs for that matter to know he would be in the gym at that time. Was it just that the ghosts from his past where messing with his head making him even more paranoid?
It really hadn’t seemed like Gibbs’ style to mess around with someone like that, sure the man was a bully, Tim had clocked that in the first few minutes of meeting the man. But he was a marine bully and there was a big difference. Here was a bully with the sole intent of making you a better investigator, a better person. The bullies he was used to where about power and making you feel weak, not stronger like Gibbs. This just so wasn’t his MO.
Perhaps then it was a test? See how far he could push him.
Maybe it was a punishment? .....but for what?
What had he....oh....walking in on the Boss...could that be it? Would his Boss really have been that cruel?
Christ he just didn’t know anymore and he was tired of all this, all the games that people played.
He started slightly when the ring tone of his mobile went off. Checking out the display he swallowed hard at the caller ID.
“What Tony?”
“What McManners, no hello?” Tim could practically hear the smirk down the telephone line.
“What is it Tony?”
“We got a case, Gibbs wants us out and ready to roll in five.” Tim let out a sigh he didn’t intend to be heard on the other end.
“Hey Moany McGoo, a dead marine keeping you from your morning routine?”
“Wha-“ Tim took a moment to collect himself, if he wasn’t careful he could end up giving away more than he ever intended. “Tony I’ll be right there.”
Whatever McNickname Tony came up with next was ignored as Tim ended the call and steeled himself, hoping he could just forget all of this and get back to work, he just needed to get back to normal.
****
Gibbs made sure to watch carefully as Tim walked into the bullpen checking on the younger man’s demeanour after their morning’s activities. Tim seemed overly intent on keeping his eyes down, careful not to make eye contact with anyone.
“Gear up, body at Cleveland Park.” He turned from them not needing to check if they were all following him.
The ride to the crime scene would have been almost normal for Gibbs. DiNozzo and David where busy trading insults with a few questions about the case thrown in. He caught himself staring at Tim in the rear vision mirror, the lack of conversation from his youngest agent had set an unease over his famous gut.
“Ziva....witness statements, DiNozzo evidence collection McGee you’re on camera duty.” Gibbs pushed his unease about Tim down, they had a job to do and he needed to focus and gear up that second B to keep them on task.
TBC
Part One: Oh Crap, Part Two: Favourite Things, Part Three: Why?,